STIN Newsletter April - June 2015

VOL.1, ISSUE # 1 APRIL - JUNE 2015 SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL INFORMATION NETWORK NEWS AAPRIL Q u -a JUNE r t e r2015 l y N e ws l e tte r of t h e Scie n t if ic R e s e a rch Co un cil , Ja m a ica

This Newsletter highlights news, events and activities in the Scientific and Technical information Network (STIN) and related library news which have taken place in the last three months.

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Leleka Johnson-Librarian at Institute of Jamaica

| Featured Library IOJ Library

| STIN News 

STIN Workshop 2015

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NEPA Launch

Featured Library

The Institute of Jamaica Natural History Museum of Jamaica Science Library The Natural History Museum of Jamaica was established in 1879 as one of the original divisions of the Institute of Jamaica and serves as the storehouse of our natural heritage. The Science Library is located within the Natural History Museum of Jamaica which is one of the original divisions of the Institute of Jamaica, mandated to stimulate an interest in science.

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SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL INFORMATION NETWORK NEWS APRIL - JUNE 2015

The Science Library

What is the Purpose of the Science Library?

The Science Library:

The Science Library is located within the Natural History Museum of Jamaica which is one of the original divisions of the Institute of Jamaica, mandated to stimulate an interest in science.

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Is an integral part of the functions and activities of the NHMJ, being as it is one of the main information dissemination services for the division.

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Gives scope to the biodiversity issues.

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Maintains an effective and efficient collection of resource materials on the flora and fauna of Jamaica.

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Provides a wide array of resource materials on the natural history of Jamaica.

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Reflects past and current areas of biodiversity research in its collection.

What Can NHMJ Science Library Do For Me? It can provide me with:

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Books on biology, chemistry, mathematics, geology, and computers.

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Videos on coral reefs.

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Access to online research.

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Slide shows and CDRoms on various Jamaican plants and animals.

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Information for my SBA projects.

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Quick and detailed information to successfully do my Integrated Science homework, Biology homework, Chemistry homework, Agricultural Science homework, Computer homework, and History homework.

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Pictures of most Jamaican plants and animals.

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A general knowledge of Jamaica's natural history through local publication series such as: the Jamaica Journal, Jamaica Naturalist and Natural History.

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Resource materials and information to successfully complete my CXC and GCE science related projects and exams.

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Access to rare books, e.g. H.M.S. Challenger Series.

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SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL INFORMATION NETWORK NEWS APRIL - JUNE 2015

Give answers to questions such as:

Contact Information

- When was breadfruit introduced?

•Visit us at: 10-16 East Street, Kingston.

- Why was the mongoose brought to Jamaica?

•Telephone us at: 922-0620-6 Ext. 237 or 244

- What is the medicinal value in ganja?

- What fruits can I eat to have a beautiful skin?

- What fruits / plant can I use when I am sick?

•Email us at: library@nhmj-ioj.org.jm •Visit our website through any search engines by typing “Institute of Jamaica”.

- Do we have poisonous snakes in Jamaica?

STIN News

STIN Workshop 2015 The Scientific Research Council (SRC) Documentation Center is the Focal Point for the Scientific and Technical Information Network (STIN). One of the objectives of this network is to assist in the training and development of the professionals and paraprofessionals within the network.

The annual workshop is one of the ways in which we assist our members and other interested members of the Library and Information fraternity.

The annual STIN workshop was held January 29, 2015 at the Scientific Research Council. Over twenty-eight persons participated. Due to unforeseen circumstances and technical difficulties which occurred in the afternoon session, resulting in an abrupt end to the day’s activities, the workshop coordinator promised the group a make –up session. The make-up session was scheduled for April 29, 2015.

Approximately 15 participants attended the make-up session which was facilitated by Mr. Hugh Bowman, Systems Analyst and Project Manager, ADVANTUM.

Participants paying keen attention to the presenter at STIN workshop 2015

Mr. Hugh Bowman, Systems Analyst and Project Manager, ADVANTUM

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SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL INFORMATION NETWORK NEWS APRIL - JUNE 2015

Mrs. Judith Fagan-Brown STIN Co-ordinator, gave the welcome and opening remarks and STIN Chairman, Mrs. Mona Whyte brought greetings.

Mr. Bowman’s presentation was informative and interactive. In his presentation, he demonstrated to the members how to utilized what was already available on the internet and to show participants how they could effectively utilize social media to enhance businesses and libraries/information centers. He also demonstrated on how to make use of free applications to endorse libraries/ information centers in a fun and interactive manner. His presentation was well received based on the feedback from the attendees.

Please visit STIN webpage for more photos

NEPA Launch

The Launch of the Franklin McDonald Collection and Rebranding of the National Environment and Planning Agency’s (NEPA’s) Documentation Centre The Documentation Centre at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is a Special Library that houses a collection of environmental and planning documents. The bulk of the collection comprises documents on Jamaica and the Caribbean which includes reports, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Monitoring Reports, Audio Visual documents and various texts on Jamaica.

Be in the know

w i t h w h a t ’s h a p p e n i n g

i n Scientific and Technical Information Network !

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SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL INFORMATION NETWORK NEWS APRIL - JUNE 2015

In 2002, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NEPA, Mr. Franklin McDonald, recommended that the Documentation Centre should be dedicated and named the Sharon O’Connor Documentation Centre. This recommendation came about as a result of the important and dedicated work that was done by Mrs. O`Connor, especially with schools, while she was attached to the Public Education Unit of the Natural Resources Conservation Department.

Mr. McDonald, himself a staunch advocate of the Documentation Centre at NEPA donated over four hundred (400) books and documents on the environment to the Centre. This sizable donation of books amounted to such a prized collection and as such NEPA thought it befitting that recognition should be given to Mr. McDonald in his role as benefactor by launching and naming the collection the - Franklyn McDonald Collection.

On Friday, June 5, 2015 the unveiling of the Franklyn McDonald collection and the rebranding of the Sharon O`Connor Documentation Centre took place at 11 Caledonia Avenue, Kingston 5 in an official ceremony.

Other Scientific and Technical Information Network (STIN) Units, including NEPA represented with displays depicting the goods and services offered by the respective Units. The Guest Speaker at the official launch and rebranding ceremony was Professor Dale Webber currently the Director, Centre for Marine Sciences, at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. Professor Webber spoke on the importance of knowledge gathering and highlighted some pioneers who helped in organizing the collection at NEPA so that he benefitted tremendously as a young researcher. He noted also that even today he still finds the Documentation Centre at NEPA useful. The guests were taken on a tour of the facilities and the unveiling of the Franklyn McDonald collection was done by his daughter, Mrs. Karen McDonald Gayle who represented her father as regrettably he was off the island.

Mr. Troy O`Connor son of Sharon O`Connor (now deceased) represented the

O`Connor family.

Guest speaker Prof Dale Webber making his presentation at the Launch of the Franklin McDonald Collection and Rebranding of the National Environment and Planning Agency’s (NEPA’s) Documentation Centre

Guest speaker Prof Dale Webber, Mrs Karen McDonald Gayle daughter of Franklin McDonald and Kayann Miller NEPA's Librarian sharing in the excitement during the unveiling of the Franklin McDonald's collection

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